Offshore Sportsbooks Are A Better Bet for Serious Players

Offshore sportsbooks have long been a cornerstone of the sports betting world. As industry pioneers, they have set the standard for what a robust online sports betting operation should be, often leading the way while regulated sites and Vegas follow. Even today, many regulated sportsbooks and international betting sites rely on offshore lines as a benchmark before releasing their numbers.

For serious players and high rollers, betting offshore is still the preferred choice. This article will explore why offshore sportsbooks continue to dominate, focusing on the benefits they offer, such as higher betting limits, acceptance of sharp bettors and the flexibility that regulated sportsbooks tend to lack.

Why are offshore sportsbooks attractive to serious players?

One of the most significant advantages of betting offshore is higher betting limits. Unlike regulated sportsbooks, which often limit or ban successful bettors, offshore operators embrace sharp action. High rollers and sharp bettors help set accurate betting lines, providing value in the long run.

Take the example of Billy Walters, one of the world’s most successful sports bettors. Walters often used a network of “runners” to place bets without drawing attention. Runners refer to individuals who place bets on behalf of another party.

The limits sportsbooks in Vegas set to protect themselves throttle potential payouts, which often forced Walters to find alternative ways to place his bets. Walters’ network of runners allowed him to place bets in a way that circumvented these limitations. Runners would use multiple betting services to make several smaller wagers, enabling Walters to achieve the overall bet size he desired without alerting regulators or operators.

Walters’ approach was highly sophisticated. He would even place what he called “false bets” to manipulate betting lines to his advantage. For example, he might place a large bet on one side to move the line, and then place an even larger bet on the opposite side once the odds had shifted in his favor. This can’t be done at regulated sportsbooks due to strict limits and monitoring, but offshore gambling websites provided more freedom for high-stakes bettors like Walters.

Offshore books could choose to lay off the action at other online betting sites to manage their risk, or simply balance the action at their shop and control the line that way. This level of risk management and acceptance of sharp sports bettors is a key reason why serious players are drawn to the offshore betting industry.

Rolling the Lines and Managing Sharp Action

Offshore sites use sophisticated risk management techniques to handle sharp bettors effectively. By employing strategies like dynamic line adjustments, they ensure they can accommodate high-value bets while still managing risk. This approach stands in stark contrast to regulated sportsbooks, which often resort to banning or limiting sharp players instead of leveraging their expertise to refine odds.

FanDuel and DraftKings Can’t Limit Players Fast Enough

In legal sports betting markets across the United States, traditional options like FanDuel and DraftKings have adopted the controversial practice of aggressively limiting sharp players. Instead of taking advantage of sharp bettors’ insights, they limit bet sizes or restrict accounts. For example, these companies often move their odds based on other books, a practice known as “moving on air.”

A recent Rolling Stone article highlighted how this practice has become the norm among many regulated sportsbooks, which prefer to copy lines from more established sources rather than setting their own. FanDuel and DraftKings have been known to limit or even ban players who demonstrate consistent success.

“Some users may have more information than we do. Some users may have a better model than we do,” said Cory Fox, FanDuel’s vice president of product.

DraftKings, on the other hand, claims it doesn’t target players based on winning or losing but instead limits “behavior,” which includes strategies they deem as too effective.

As a result, these users are seen as a risk. Rather than embracing the challenge of setting accurate lines, regulated sportsbooks choose to limit these players to protect their profits.

The practice has led to the phrase “ban or bankrupt,” referring to the approach of either limiting successful players to the point that they leave or making it impossible for them to continue winning at profitable levels. This strategy has created frustration among bettors, who feel that regulated sportsbooks are not offering a fair playing field. Offshore sports betting sites, by contrast, actively seek sharp action, using it as a tool to shape more accurate and balanced betting odds.

The irony is that the players who are most skilled at identifying value and accurate lines are the ones being pushed out. In a regulated market that advertises fairness and transparency, these practices have led many serious players to look elsewhere. Offshore sites not only allow sharp bettors but thrive on the information they bring to shape competitive lines and offer a more open playing field for everyone involved.

Other Advantages of Betting with Offshore Sportsbooks

Overseas betting sites, like those in Costa Rica and Antigua, come with a wide variety of perks that make them a solid option for anyone who takes betting seriously. Below, we will cover some highlights that really elevate the user experience.

Cryptocurrency Betting

International sportsbooks are also well known for their acceptance of cryptocurrencies, which offer bettors privacy, speed and convenience. Regulated sportsbooks have much more limited payment methods, relying on credit cards, leaving crypto users in the cold. 

As the price of Bitcoin continues to soar and is knocking on the doors of $100,000, offshore sites such as Heritage Sports seek to capitalize by offering a popular Bitcoin Insurance program that rewards active bettors by giving them a free play that is a percentage of their total handle if they made their initial deposit with Bitcoin. These types of cryptocurrency bonuses cannot be found at regular sportsbooks in the United States.

Crypto payment options provide an alternative to traditional methods like credit cards and bank wires, appealing to those who value anonymity and quick payout times. Bettors can quickly deposit and withdraw funds, with the added benefit of more generous promotions and absolutely no transaction fees.

Cryptocurrency is also attractive to bettors who wish to avoid the oversight and restrictions of traditional financial institutions. Offshore sportsbooks offer a level of privacy that regulated sportsbooks simply cannot match, as transactions are conducted without the need for personal financial information. This appeals to bettors who value discretion in their online wagering.

In addition to Bitcoin, online sportsbooks accept Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple and a host of other crypto deposit options. You can read more detailed reviews about the best sites for crypto in the BMR Rating Guide.

Better Range of Markets

Another key reason why serious bettors gravitate to the offshore market is the availability of unique betting opportunities. Unlike sportsbooks in the United States, offshore betting platforms offer a range of betting options that goes beyond just popular sports. From political betting to entertainment props, these sites provide opportunities to bet on markets that are not typically available elsewhere.

For example, BookMaker accepted six-figure bets on the outcome of the 2024 U.S. election — a type of wager that major sports betting sites in the U.S. are currently prohibited from offering. You can also find player props on college sports games, which is a game changer during March Madness. 

In the U.S., prediction market Kalshi is the only regulated entity that was allowed to accept bets on the 2024 Election, and it is currently in court over its right to continue offering these bets. Even if Kalshi wins its case, offshore sportsbooks will still be the only viable option for quite some time, because laws move slow. This variety of unique betting opportunities makes offshore sportsbooks an attractive choice for those seeking more than just traditional sports bets.

Trusted Offshore Sportsbooks for Serious Players

If you’re considering turning to offshore sports betting sites, it’s important to choose reputable operators that have proven track records. Here are a few trusted names that cater to serious bettors:

• BookMaker.eu: Established in 1996, BookMaker is known for its reliability and willingness to accept sharp action. It offers high betting limits and has a strong reputation for timely payouts. BookMaker is one of the oldest online sports betting sites, and sets the industry standard when it comes to loyalty programs.
• BetOnline.ag: Operating since 2001, BetOnline accommodates sharp bettors by providing competitive odds and high betting limits. A wide range of ongoing promotions make checking out new markets exciting and the Prop Builder lets you create custom bets on your favorite sports.
• Bovada.lv: Bovada, launched in 2011, is a popular name known for its user-friendly interface. While it primarily caters to recreational bettors, it still offers competitive odds and diverse markets on tons of major sports. Along with its excellent sportsbook, it has tons of casino games and popular poker tables.
• HeritageSports.eu: Known for personalized customer service, Heritage Sports offers reduced juice options and high betting limits, making it an appealing choice for serious players. The live betting feature at Heritage is awesome, too, allowing you to get in on the action in real time.

Conclusion

Offshore sportsbooks offer unique advantages that make them a better choice for high-stakes and sharp bettors. Signing up with an offshore book is a great way to boost your potential winnings with minimal effort. You will get access to more competitive odds, a wide range of sports betting markets and options and generous bonuses. 

Higher deposit limits, higher betting limits and the availability of crypto deposits alongside traditional methods mean that overseas sportsbooks have more flexibility and make it easier to place big bets on your favorite sports. If you’re ready for a better user experience and higher potential payouts, consider signing up with one of the trusted offshore sportsbooks recommended by Bookmakers Review to enjoy higher limits and fewer restrictions.